Local Democrat legislators address budget concerns and priorities at town hall meetings

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  We are just a handful of days away from the beginning of the 2026 legislative short session.

As lawmakers prep their bags and finalize the details they take one last opportunity to speak face to face with their constituents.

On Sunday, Representatives Emerson Levy and Jason Kropf as well as Senator Anthony Broadman spoke to voters about their goals and aspirations for the short session.

They spoke about issues like state parks and the major shortfall within the budget.

Representative Levy describes the issue.

"There were a lot of great questions about the budget, you know, how are we going to balance our budget and fill in this? You know, what we think was about an $800 million hole," Rep. Levy told KTVZ News. "A lot of people advocating for wildlife or health care. Mostly the budget and how we're going to pay for the services that Oregonians depend on."

This potential $800 million budget shortfall is putting major pressure on every department to cut spending and re-prioritize issues.

While at the town hall, the three legislators took questions ranging from canned cocktails to protecting wildlife.

Legislators gained a lot from the questions.

Rep. Levy told KTVZ News, "It's so important for the community to come and to talk to their legislators as we go into session in Salem in two weeks and tell us what's on their mind and lots of people do today. So we are able to take that feedback back to Salem." 

Local Republican legislators are holding their town hall on zoom on Thursday.

We will cover that town hall and the upcoming twists and turns from Salem during the short session.